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American jazz pianist (1958–2014)
Musical artist
Kenny Drew Jr. (June 14, 1958 – August 3, 2014) was an American jazz pianist. His music is known for its hard-swinging bluesy sound and large, two-handed rooty chords contrasting with fast runs. The son of jazz pianist Kenny Drew, he did not credit his father as an influence.[1][2][3]
Biography
His initial study was in classical music with his aunt and grandmother.[1] In his teens he became interested in jazz and pop, but initially worked in funk bands. Later he went into jazz piano and in 1990 won The Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Drew continued to perform jazz, but he also performed some chamber music. His style has some similarities to his father's, but is different enough to generally avoid comparison; he was considered the more eclectic of the two men.
Drew attended Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, for a period during 1977 to 1978. There, he became pianist for the Iona College Singers, an entertainment troop promoting the college's name and goodwill among local high schools, retirement homes and the like in the Northeast region of the US.
Drew cited Thelonious Monk as an influence and like Monk often recorded (and performed) solo.
Drew died at home in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 3, 2014.[3]
Discography
As leader
| Year recorded
|
Title
|
Label
|
Notes
|
| 1987
|
The Flame Within
|
Pony Canyon
|
Quartet, with Bob Berg (tenor sax), Charnett Moffett (bass), Al Foster (drums)
|
| 1988
|
The Rainbow Connection
|
Evidence
|
With Terence Blanchard (trumpet), Charnett Moffett (bass), Cody Moffett (drums)
|
| 1989
|
Third Phase
|
Pony Canyon
|
Trio, with Buster Williams (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
|
| 1991
|
Kenny Drew, Jr.
|
Antilles
|
Some tracks trio, with Christian McBride (bass), Winard Harper, (drums); some tracks quintet, with Wallace Roney (trumpet), Ralph Moore (tenor sax), George Mraz (bass), Al Foster (drums)
|
| 1992
|
A Look Inside
|
Antilles
|
Some tracks quartet with David Sánchez (tenor sax), George Mraz (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks quartet with Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Charnett Moffett (bass); Cody Moffett (drums)
|
| 1993
|
Another Point of View
|
JazzCity Spirit
|
One track solo piano; most tracks trio, with Eddie Gomez (bass), Bill Stewart (drums) added
|
| 1994
|
Kenny Drew Jr. at Maybeck
|
Concord Jazz
|
Solo piano; in concert
|
| 1994
|
Portraits of Mingus & Monk
|
Claves Jazz
|
Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
|
| 1995
|
Secrets
|
TCB
|
Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)
|
| 1995
|
This One's for Bill
|
TCB
|
Solo piano
|
| 1995
|
Crystal River
|
TCB
|
Sextet, with Michael Philip Mossman (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ravi Coltrane (soprano sax, tenor sax), Steve Nelson (vibraphone), Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Reedus (drums)
|
| 1995
|
Passionata
|
Meldac Jazz
|
Most tracks trio, with Peter Washington (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks with strings added
|
| 1996
|
Reverie
|
Meldac Jazz
|
Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)
|
| 1997
|
Reverie
|
Meldac Jazz
|
With Lynn Seaton (bass), Lewis Nash (drums); some tracks with David Sanchez (tenor sax) added
|
| 1997
|
Follow the Spirit
|
Sirocco Jazz
|
Quartet, with Steve Wilson (soprano sax, alto sax), Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
|
| 1998
|
Winter Flower
|
Milestone
|
Trio, with Lynn Seaton (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
|
| 1999
|
Remembrance
|
TCB
|
With Wallace Roney (trumpet), Stefon Harris (vibes), Santi Debriano (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
|
| 1999
|
Live at Montreux
|
TCB
|
Solo piano; in concert
|
| 2001
|
Autumn
|
Pony Canyon
|
Trio, with George Mraz (bass), Tony Jefferson (drums)
|
| 2002?
|
Da Skale
|
TCB
|
Daniel Schnyder / Kenny Drew Jr. Quartet
|
| 2011?
|
Duality
|
Random Act
|
with Larry Coryell
|
| 2012?
|
Coral Sea
|
Random Act
|
Trio, with Jon Burr (bass), Marty Morell (drums); released 2012
|
Main source:[4]
As sideman
References
External links
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